Sony’s latest premium smartphone is set to arrive in Canada only months after Bell launched its waterproof predecessor.
The Sony Xperia Z1 was introduced this summer and boasts a number of hardware improvements, including a modern 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 processor, a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor with an f/2.0 G Lens aperture, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
The handset is set to arrive on Rogers, Bell and TELUS in mid-October, and though prices haven’t been set you can be sure there will be a premium cost associated with its premium feature set.
The 5-inch Xperia Z1 comes with a 1080p Triluminos display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, expandable with a microSD slot, and a 3000mAh internal battery. Early reports say the Z1, which is also waterproof, is a nice improvement over the Z, both in terms of screen quality and battery life. It is IP55 and IP58 certified, which means it can be immersed in water 1.5m deep for 30 minutes, and is fully dust-proof.
The device will be available in black, white and purple, and will likely launch alongside the previously-announced Xperia Z Ultra some time in October. It appears that not all carriers will have the same colours, though, as the press release urges customers to “check with your carrier for colour availability at launch.”
The Xperia Z1 goes up against stiff competition when it launches, including the LG G2, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and newly-released iPhone 5s.
Update: We’ve heard directly from Sony that the Xperia Z1 will be sold unlocked at Sony Stores throughout Canada in mid-October. The company began selling unlocked devices with the Xperia S, but subsequent models, including most recently the Xperia ZL, were locked to Rogers. We’re awaiting confirmation that the device will be compatible with AWS variants like WIND, Mobilicity and Videotron, but since Z1 uses the multi-band Snapdragon 800, it’s looking good for new entrants.
Update #2: Rogers just let us know that they will be exclusive carriers of the purple Z1 model in Canada, and will sell it alongside the black variant. Looks like the white version will be going to someone else, TELUS perhaps.
[source]Newswire[/source]
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